Receptacle closure



D. G. M ARN ETAL June 17, 1941.

RECEPTACLE CLOSURE Filed May 26, 1937 Patented June 17, 1941 RECEPTACLECLO SURE Donald G. McArn, Pittsburgh, and John W.

McDonald, West View, Pa., assignors to Allis- Chalmers ManufacturingCompany, Milwaukee, Wis, a corporation of Delaware Application May 26,1937, Serial No. 144,770

7 Claims.

This invention relates in general to receptacle closures andparticularly to an improved method of and means for forming a receptacleand closure member therefor and for clamping such closure member to thereceptacle.

In the prior art receptacles of the type provided with a'closure memberor cover having a flange extending over the edge of the opening in thereceptacle, the utilization of an ordinary C- shaped member for clampingthe cover to the receptacle has distinct disadvantages. If such a clampprovided an opening between the outer end of the C-shaped membersufficient for positioning'the clamp over the flange of the cover, itprovided neither for supporting the clamping bolt against bending, norfor preventing the clamp from jarring oif of the cover due to vibrationor accidental blows. Receptacles of the prior art utilizing a clampedcover required lugs or similar members welded to the tank and to thecover.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a new andimproved method of and means for clamping receptacles of the above typewhich method and means will avoid any or all of the above disadvantages.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a clamping meanshaving a body section so shaped and proportioned as to provide supportagainst bending for substantially the full length of the clamping bolt.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a clampingmeans for a tank or receptacle closure whichclamping means avoids theuse of members welded or riveted onto the tank or cover.

It is a further object of this invention to provide in a receptacle ofthe above type a clamping means which cannot be removed due toaccidental blows, jarring or vibration of the receptacle.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a clamp whichcannot be removed from the receptacle unless the clamping bolt is whollyremoved from the body section of the clamp.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a clampingmeans providing for additional locking of the clamping bolt and bracingof the clamp.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide animprovedsimplified and inexpensive sealing means efliciently closing areceptacle opening.

Objects and advantages other than those above set forth will be apparentfrom the following description when read in connection with theaccompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary section view of a tank and cover therefor withthe clamping means in position embodying the present invention; a

Fig. 2 is an end view of the clamp shown in Fig. l; and

Cir

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary section view of the tank and cover shown in Fig.1 illustrating the manner of positioning or removal of the clamp bodysection after the clamping bolt has been removed therefrom.

In Fig. 1 is shown a tank or receptacle 5 which may be of any suitablecross section, dimensions or material. The tank 5, shown for the purposeof illustrating an embodiment of this invention, may be an ordinarysheet metal cylindrical tank such as is utilized to encase transformersor similar electrical apparatus in oil. In order to provide an improvedand inexpensive manner of forming the top edge of the tank 5, the edgeIt) is spun or rolled into the shape shown. This rolled edge It providesa'smooth, even surface" which cooperates efficiently with the gasket idto form a seal therebetween. The rolled'edge it also provides a bearingsurface for the clamp ing end i5 of the clamping bolt l2.

In order to provide protection for the gasketed joint and to provide abearing face for the body section portion 1 of the clamp, the cover 6has a flange l3 rolled or spun at an angle thereto. The manufacturingoperations necessary to form a tank and cover such as above describedare simple and inexpensive, for such operations include only a bendingof the material rather than a cutting or machining or welding on ofadditional members.

When a receptacle such as shown in Fig. 1 is utilized to encase atransformer or other electrical apparatus, usually in oil or similarliquid, such tanks are subject to constant vibration over long periodsof time, which vibration tends to loosen the clamped cover. It isimportant that the seal between cover and tank be maintained in order toprevent moisture or other impurities from entering the tank. In order toprevent acci dental knocking off of the clamp from the lover or itsremoval due to vibration, the clamp is provided with a body section inthe shape of a modified 0 having a back portion 1 and outer ends 8 and9. The inner face of the portion I fits snugly against the dependingedge [3 and the lower face of the portion 8 fits snugly against the topof the cover member 6. The outer end Si isextended upwardly asubstantial distance toward the outer end 8 thereby providing supportfor the bolt l2 which is threaded therein. This support is provided atthe point it is most desirable, that is, closely adjacent the clampingend It thereby preventing movement thereof due to the bending of thebolt 12. As shown in Fig. 3 the portion 9 is of a Width less than thedistance between the wall of the tank 5 and the depending flange iii ofthe coverfso that when the clamping bolt [2 is removed from the bodysection of the clamp, it may be rotated in a counter-clockwise directionas viewed in Figs. 1 and 3 for removal from the tank and cover.

In order to provide against movement of the body section while in theclamping position shown in Fig. 1 to the position shown in Fig. 3, awedging member i6 is loosely supported on the bolt 12. The wedgingmember it has one face 23 in engagement with the tank wall and has adiagonal face ll engaging the body section of the clamp and forcing thesame in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 1, when it is forcedupwardly on the bolt l2 by the nut Hi.

In order to position the clamp upon the receptacle and cover, the locknut 13 is screwed onto the bolt l2 well down towards the head end 14thereof and the wedging member 58 is then placed on the bolt adjacentthe lock nut. The body section of the clamp is then positioned on thetank by inserting the portion S between the depending flange [S of thecover and the tank wall 5 as shown in Fig. 3. The body section is thenrotated in a clockwise direction into the position shown in Fig. 1, andthe assembly of parts l2, l5 and i8 is threaded into the portion 9 untilthe end [5 of the bolt i2 bears tightly against the underside of therolled edge Iii. The lock nut i8 is then screwed toward the end lb ofthe clamping bolt thereby wedging the mem" ber It tightly against thetank wall 5 and against the body section 9. carried member is betweenthe two threaded sections 9 and I8 provides double locking againstaccidental loosening of the bolt i2 due to vibration. A wire (not shown)may be threaded through the hole 2? in the bolt l2 and around the bodysection of the clamp in any convenient manner to provide for a sealagainst removal of the bolt i2.

When the above invention is utilized for electrical apparatus, in manycases such apparatus is not inspected over long periods of time. If forany reason the bolt l2 should become slightly loosened during servicethe clamp could not fall off and become lost unless the bolt l2 waswholly removed from the body section 9. By provision of the section 9and the wedge member i6 as shown, the clamping bolt i2 is supportedagainst clamping movement for substantially its full length.

Although but a few embodiments of the present invention have beenillustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in theart that various changes and modifications may be made therein withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention or from the scope of theappended claims.

It is claimed and desired to secure by Letters Patent:

1. In combination, a receptacle provided with an outwardly extendingedge, a cover member for said receptacle provided with a flangedepending over said receptacle edge, a clamping member having a modifiedC-shaped body section having a distance between the tips thereofsubstantially less than the depending length of said cover memberflange, a member threaded in one of said tips of said body section andarranged in contact with said edge of said receptacle.

2. In combination, a receptacle provided with an outwardly extendingedge, a cover. member for said receptacle provided with a flangeprotecting said receptacle edge, a clamping member The action of theloosely having a modified C-shaped body section having a distancebetween the tips thereof substantially less than the length of saidcover member flange, a member threaded in one of said tips of said bodysection, and a wedging member carried on said threaded member providedwith a face in contact with said receptacle.

3. In combination, a receptacle provided with a flared edge, a covermember for said receptacle provided with a flange protecting saidreceptacle edge, a clamping member provided with a body section havingextensions thereon, a member threaded in one of said extensions of saidbody section, a wedging member carried on said threaded member providedwith a face in contact with said receptacle, and a second face incontact with a portion of said body section.

4. In combination, a receptacle provided with an outwardly extendingedge, a cover member for said. receptacle provided with a flangedepending over said receptacle edge, a clamping member having a modifiedC-shaped body section having a distance between the tips thereofsubstantially less than the depending length of said cover 1 memberflange, a member threaded in one of said tips of said body section, awedging member carried on said threaded member provided with a face incontact with said receptacle, and a second face in contact with saidbody section at an angle to the longitudinal axis of said threadedmember.

5. A clamp comprising a modified C-shaped body section, the distancebetween the outer end portions of said body section being substantiallyless than the distance between the inner end portions, a member inthreaded engagement with one of said outer end portions, a wedgingmember carried by said threaded member engaging a face of said bodysection, a locking member carried in threaded relation on said threadedmember engaging a face of said wedging member.

6. In combination, a receptacle provided with an outwardly extendingedge, a cover member for said receptacle provided with a flangedepending over said receptacle edge, a clamping member having a modifiedC-shaped body section having a distance between the tips thereofsubstantially less than the depending length of said cover memberflange, a member threaded in one of said tips of said body section, andan auxiliary member supported on said threaded member in contact withsaid last named tip and said receptacle.

7. In combination, a receptacle provided with an outwardiy extendingedge, a cover provided with a flange depending over said receptacle edgeand spaced therefrom, means for clamping said cover to said receptaclecomprising a substantially C-shaped body section having one tip thereofin contact with the outer surface of said cover and having the other tipthereof closely adjacent said receptacle and positioned in said space,the distance between said tips being less than the depending length ofsaid flange, a member threaded through said last mentioned tip anddepending therefrom, said member arranged closely adjacent said wall ofsaid receptacle and contacting said edge of said receptacle when inclamping position.

DONALD G. McARN. JOHN W. MCDONALD.

